Published By Datamonitor

Although it has failed in the past, Sanofi-Synthelabo's Eloxatin has finally been approved in the US for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The decision opens a huge potential market to Sanofi - but the French company may find it hard to compete with Pharmacia's Camptosar, especially once Pharmacia's merger with Pfizer is complete.

Published By Datamonitor

Sanofi-Aventis has bolstered its oncology pipeline by licensing the therapeutic cancer vaccine, TroVax, from UK biotech Oxford Biomedica. While the project is considered high-risk, phase II trial data are encouraging. With potential for use across a large proportion of cancers, TroVax could bring significant rewards.

Published By Datamonitor

New data indicate that the addition of aflibercept to docetaxel as a second-line treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer failed to improve overall survival in a Phase III trial. On the basis of these results and given the competitive landscape of the non-small cell lung cancer market, it is unlikely that Sanofi-Aventis and Regeneron will pursue an approval for this indication.

Published By Datamonitor

According to French research, certain types of B cell lymphoma respond to the hepatitis C immunotherapy, interferon alfa. While this isn't the first time HCV has been linked with lymphoma, the results should still persuade makers of interferon alfa drugs, such as Roche and Schering-Plough to investigate usage in this indication.

Published By Datamonitor

Published By Datamonitor

Sanofi-Aventis [SAN.PA] told Genta [GNTA] that it intended to end the collaboration between the two for the development of Genasense back in November 2004 after the drug failed to gain approval for chronic lymphoid leukemia, malignant melanoma and multiple myeloma. Although the drug remains in clinical trials, Genasense is unlikely to fulfill the commercial potential it once promised.